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Refugee Resettlement Fact Sheet

Readers, in honor of World Refugee Day, today June 20th, 2013, I am happy to report we have a new fact sheet!

Since we first posted a fact sheet in 2007 and updated it again in 2010 we have had 31,236 visitors access this post.

Please help spread the word on the new 2013 Fact Sheet a collaborative effort between RRW and others!

1. Since 1975, the U.S. has resettled over 3 million refugees, with annual admissions figures ranging from a high of 207,000 in 1980 to a low of 27,110 in 2002 (in the aftermath of 911) .

The average number of refugees admitted annually since 1980 is about 98,000. Additionally, in recent years, another 40,000 or more per year come in as asylum seekers and Cuban/Haitian entrants – all with the same rights and entitlements as refugees.

All these flows detonate their own chain migration flows in addition to the refugee influx. These follow-on flows have easily multiplied the original admission numbers by a factor of 4 or more.

The quota for 2013 is 70,000 and it looks like it will be met this year. There is strong political pressure to get refugee numbers back to over 100,000.

2. The U.S. takes more than twice as many refugees as all countries from the rest of the industrialized world combined.

3. One of the operative assumptions of those in the refugee industry is that, since the U.S. is behind most of the chaos in the world – Syria, here we come!, it is morally obligated to take the lead in resettling the world’s refugees. Yet, for 2012 the leading countries, in order of numbers of refugees sent to the U.S., were Bhutan, Burma, Iraq, Somalia, Cuba, Dem. Rep. Congo, Iran, Eritrea, Sudan. All America’s fault? In very recent memory the MSM was celebrating Bhutan and suggesting the U.S. had something to learn from the Bhutanese concept of a “Product of National Happiness”.

Ironically, the U.S. refugee program diverts resources from assistance on the ground to those very countries in the developing world which carry the main burden of refugee crises.

4. In recent years up to 95% of the refugees coming to the U.S. were referred by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or were the relatives of UN-picked refugees. Until the late 90’s the U.S. picked the large majority of refugees for resettlement in the U.S.

Considering that the refugee influx causes increases in all legal and illegal immigration as family and social networks are established in the U.S., the U.N. is effectively dictating much of U.S. immigration policy.

5. NIMBYists gone wild: As a Senator, Sam Brownback harshly rejected the resettlement of Somali Bantu in his own state even though he was a major advocate among evangelicals for increased refugee immigration to the U.S..

The state of Delaware has resettled less than 10 refugees annually in recent years even though then Sen. Joe Biden was a sponsor of the 1980 Refugee Act – the bill which defines the refugee program we have today.

Upon entry, a network of private, “nonprofit” agencies (so-called “voluntary agencies”) selects the communities where refugees will live. The agencies are either headquartered in Washington DC or have lobbying offices there.

Washington DC took less than 200 refugees between 2007 and 2012.

6. According to a July 2012 GAO report (Refugee Resettlement:

Greater Consultation with Community Stakeholders Could Strengthen Program: “most public entities such as public schools and health departments generally said that voluntary agencies notified them of the number of refugees expected to arrive in the coming year, but did not consult them regarding the number of refugees they could serve”.

7. This same GAO report quotes a state official who notes “that local affiliate funding is based on the number of refugees they serve, so affiliates (private contractors) have an incentive to maintain or increase the number of refugees they resettle each year rather than allowing the number to decrease.”

8. Refugee resettlement is a self-perpetuating global enterprise. Staff and management of the hundreds of taxpayer supported U.S. contractors are largely refugees or immigrants whose purpose is to gain entry for more refugees, usually for their co-ethnics.

9. According to David Robinson, a former acting director of the State Department’s refugee bureau, writing about the refugee contractors: “the federal government provides about ninety percent of its collective budget” and its lobbying umbrella “wields enormous influence over the Administration’s refugee admissions policy. It lobbies the Hill effectively to increase the number of refugees admitted for permanent resettlement each year ….If there is a conflict of interest, it is never mentioned…. The solution its members offer to every refugee crisis is simplistic and the same: increase the number of admissions to the United States without regard to budgets…” How Public Opinion Shaped Refugee Policy in Kosovo, 2000, David M. Robinson, http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf&AD=ADA432218

We hesitate to quibble with an authoritative source on the percentage of federal money floating the refugee industry, but from an accountant’s perspective that percentage is actually over 100 % given the amount of money the industry is able to pocket without any proof that it was spent on refugees.

10. According to Ken Tota, Deputy Director at HHS Office of Refugee Resettlement, Congress has never in his 25-year tenure questioned the refugee quota proposed by the administration. By law, Congress is supposed to consent to the annual quota but obviously refuses to take this role seriously.

11. Refugee “self-sufficiency” is an important measure of success and a basis for assigning refugees to agencies in future contracts. The definition of “self-sufficiency” has been steadily defined downward and today is virtually meaningless. A refugee can be considered “self-sufficient” while using all of the programs listed in item 16 below with the exception of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

12. Assimilation is no longer a goal for any agency involved in refugee resettlement – government or private contractor. The private contractors’ engagement with the refugee is so short – less than 4 months in most cases, that nothing approaching assimilation could even be considered. The term “assimilation” is no longer a part of government lexicon and does not even occur in dozens of recent reports and papers generated about refugee resettlement. The operative term in vogue now is “integration” with its clear intent of maintenance of ethnic identity.

13. A refugee or an asylum seeker must show a “well-founded” fear of persecution on account of a political view or membership in a racial, ethnic, religious or social group. The definition of a refugee has been widely stretched by all 3 branches of the government – the Judiciary, the Congress and the Administration.

In fact, Congress can name whatever group it wants to be a refugee or asylum seeker. For instance Congress passed a law declaring China’s one-child policy to be an example of persecution based upon a political view. Not surprising: China now heads up the list of successful asylum seekers.

People may seek asylum in the U.S. based upon domestic abuse, FGM and even lack of services for the disabled.

The government does not publicize rates of admission by category so it is not possible to tell, for instance, if the vague and easy to fake ‘social group’ category is more commonly used than the vague and easy to fake ‘political group’ category.

Because of the privacy rights accorded the new arrivals, we have no idea which category was used by Tamerlane Tsarnaev’s parents to gain admission to the world’s most generous immigration program.

14. The Obama administration has placed a priority on LGBTQI asylum seekers and refugees. This has resulted in an upsurge of asylum requests on this basis – even from countries like England! Since the State Department does not keep data about numbers admitted by reason for admission, we can’t obtain exact numbers of those admitted on the basis of LBGTQI persecution, but one private refugee agency has set up an office in Nairobi, Kenya to assist intending LBGTQI refugees. This office also advises about how to get into the refugee pipeline. In other words, a private contractor is recruiting refugees who will eventually become the contractor’s profit-generating clients. At the 2012 conference of refugee contractors sponsored by the DHHS Office of Refugee resettlement a refugee contractor demanded that Medicaid pay for sex change operations if needed by newly arrived refugees.

15. The program has gradually shifted towards the resettlement of refugees from Muslim countries. Some individuals from Muslim countries are Christians or other minorities, but most are Muslims. In the early 90’s the percentage of Muslim refugees was near 0; by 2000 the program was 44% Muslim. The Muslim component decreased after 911, but today is back up to about 40% and is set to rise from here.

Membership in a U.S.-registered Islamic terrorist group is not a bar to entry on the program as long as the refugee was not a “direct participant” in “terrorist” activity.

16. Refugees, successful asylum seekers, trafficking victim visa holders, “Cuban-Haitian Entrants” (which are mostly Cuban), S.I.V’s (for Iraqis and Afghanis) and other smaller humanitarian admission groups are eligible for ALL federal, state and local welfare programs 30 days after arrival.

Refugee access to welfare on the same basis as a U.S. citizen has made the program a global magnet.

17. Welfare use is staggering among refugees. Welfare usage is never counted by officials as part of the cost of the program. Yet, when it is included, the total cost of the refugee program soars to at least 10-20 billion a year.

As some Americans are pushed off of time-limited welfare programs many refugees are going on to life-time cash assistance programs. For instance, 12.7% of refugees are on SSI – a lifetime entitlement to a monthly check / Medicaid for elderly or disabled. This rate of usage is at least 4 times higher than the rate of usage for SSI among the native-born population and is reportedly rising from these already very high levels.

Permanent and intergenerational welfare dependence has been allowed to take hold to a significant degree in some refugee groups.

Find table TABLE II-14: Public Assistance Utilization Among refugees who arrived during the 5 years previous to the survey 57.7% are on government medical assistance such as Medicaid, about 25% have no health insurance at all, 70.2% are receiving food stamps, 31.6% are in public housing (an additional percentage is on a public housing waiting list), and 38.3 % are getting cash assistance such as TANF or SSI.

The figure of 57.7% dependent upon government medical assistance is actually an undercount since it excludes children under 16.

18. Medium size towns, such as Bowling Green, KY, Nashville, TN, Ft. Wayne, IN, Boise, ID and Manchester, NH, are serving as the main reception centers for the refugee program.

19. Refugees are not tested for many diseases, such as HIV. Refugees are a major contributing factor to TB rates among the foreign-born. TB among the foreign-born now accounts for about half of the TB in America.

20. The money the U.S. spends bringing one refugee to the U.S. could have helped 500 individuals overseas in countries where they currently reside.

21. It has never been reported in the U.S. that 47% of loans made to refugees for transportation to the U.S. are unpaid leaving an unpaid balance of $450 million. This amount – slightly out of date, does not include interest or an unknown amount that has been written off. We will announce the new balance as soon as it is available.

22. Refugee resettlement is profitable to the organizations involved in it. They receive money from the federal government for each refugee they bring over. They have almost no real responsibilities for these refugees. After 4 months the “sponsoring” organization is not even required to know where the refugee lives.

There are 9 main major refugee resettlement organizations (Volags from “Voluntary Agency”) with approximately 450 affiliated organizations throughout the country; many are run by former refugees. Below are the 9 Volags that operate today:

US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB),
Lutheran Immigrant Aid Society (LIRS),
International Rescue Committee (IRC),
World Relief Corporation,
Immigrant and Refugee Services of America (IRSA),
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS),
Church World Service (CWS),
Domestic and Foreign Missionary Service of the Episcopal Church of the USA,
Ethiopian Community Development Center (ECDC),

Below are some of the sources of income for Volags:

a. $1,850 per refugee (including children) from the State Department.

b. Up to $2,200 for each refugee by participating in a U.S. DHHS program known as Matching Grant. To get the $2,200, the Volag need only show it spent $200 and gave away $800 worth of donated clothes, furniture or cars.

c. The Volag pockets 25% of every transportation loan it collects from refugees it “sponsors”.

d. All Volag expenses and overhead in the Washington, DC HQ are paid by the U.S. government.

e. For their refugee programs, Volags collect money from all federal grant programs – “Marriage Initiative”, “Faith-based”, “Ownership Society”, etc., as well as from various state and local grants.

The program is so lucrative that in some towns the Catholic Church has lessened support for traditional charity works to put more effort into resettlement. It uses collection offerings to promote the refugee resettlement program.

23. Despite their rhetoric, refugee agencies have steadfastly refused to use their own resources to maintain the U.S. refugee resettlement program. Public money has thoroughly driven out private money.

A program known as the Private Sector Initiative allowed sponsoring agencies to bring over refugees if the agencies were willing to cover costs of resettlement and support. It was discontinued for lack of use in the mid-1990s. Today the agencies are on record as opposed to diverting more federal refugee dollars to overseas refugee assistance (where each dollar will go further in helping refugees) because it might mean fewer dollars for them!

As with other government-dependent industries there is a revolving door between the refugee industry and the federal government which pays its bills.

24. To give an idea of the staying power of the refugee program:

When we began taking Southeast Asian refugees in the late 70’s, the refugee agencies hired temporary workers, thinking the program would only go for a few months. More than 37 years after the last American left Vietnam we are still taking refugees from South East Asia. At least 1.5 million have come in as refugees alone. As well, it has detonated chain migration of non-refugee immigrants.

25. The program is rife with fraud and corruption at all levels. UN personnel often sell access to the program and once here refugees make false claims of family relationship in order to facilitate wider immigration. Government grant fraud is common among local refugee service providers.

26. The refugee program has a significant impact on U.S. foreign policy. It also affects internal and foreign policies of other nations by allowing them to rid themselves of unwanted minorities or close their borders to asylum seekers in the knowledge that the U.S. will take them in.

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333 Responses to “Refugee Resettlement Fact Sheet”

[…] online by white supremacists and members of the alt-right, including Ann Corcoran, who in June 2013 lamented on her nationalist website, Refugee Resettlement Watch, that the term “‘assimilation’ is no longer a part of government […]

[…] It has been a heated subject for quite some time across America. Since 1975, the U.S. has resettled more than 3 million into the country, often from terrorist-sanctioned areas and vastly different […]

I am with you on this!! I also try to spread the word. I educate on Freedom, Rights and the Constitution which can not COEXIST with sharia law which oppresses women and children!! Helping spread the word at https://wethepeopleoftheunitedstates3.com/ #WETHEPEOPLESNEWS #AMERICANPRIDE ~RJH. I will be sharing your work everywhere I can!! GOD BLESS!!

[…] The city of Rutland was chosen as the site to place refugees by the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), one of the nine major federally-funded refugee resettlement contractors or voluntary agencies. According to Ann Corcoran of Refugee Resettlement Watch, another leftist organization, once a site is chosen for resettlement, the agency submits an annual resettlement plan to the State Department in order to receive federal funding of nearly $2,000 per refugee sponsored in addition to federal grants of up to $2,200 per refugee sponsored. (Source) […]

[…] Approximately 100,000 refugees resettled in the United States in 2014 under the Refugee Resettlement program. The State Department, through the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration and the Office of Refugee Resettlement, spent more than $1 billion on these programs, which settled international refugees “vetted” by the United Nations High Commission on International Refugees into all 50 states. The Department of Health and Human Services also provided a number of “entitlements” to these refugees. […]

[…] Approximately 100,000 refugees resettled in the United States in 2014 under the Refugee Resettlement program. The State Department, through the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration and the Office of Refugee Resettlement, spent more than $1 billion on these programs, which settled international refugees “vetted” by the United Nations High Commission on International Refugees into all 50 states. The Department of Health and Human Services also provided a number of “entitlements” to these refugees. […]

[…] Approximately 100,000 refugees resettled in the United States in 2014 under the Refugee Resettlement program. The State Department, through the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration and the Office of Refugee Resettlement, spent more than $1 billion on these programs, which settled international refugees “vetted” by the United Nations High Commission on International Refugees into all 50 states. The Department of Health and Human Services also provided a number of “entitlements” to these refugees. […]

[…] the Jihadis. Many organizations in are bringing jihadis into your communities under the guise of “refugee resettlement.” These include the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Catholic Charities, Lutheran […]

[…] the Jihadis. Many organizations in are bringing jihadis into your communities under the guise of “refugee resettlement.” These include the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Catholic Charities, Lutheran […]

[…] and resettle illegal immigrants and integrate them into our society. It is a fact as reported by Resettlement Watch, Christian based charities receive the following compensation on average per refugee. Acting as […]

[…] Note: As Obama’s term ends, he is frantic to flood America with Islamist voters and activists. He is INCREASING the influx of Muslims, and ignoring the growing chorus of experts voicing National Security concerns. Refugee Resettlement Watch tracks this. Here is a LINK. […]

[…] majority of the more than 70,000 refugees resettled annually across the United States through the federal refugee resettlement program are not required to have been vaccinated for measles prior to their arrival here. “Refugees being […]

[…] majority of the more than 70,000 refugees resettled annually across the United States through the federal refugee resettlement program are not required to have been vaccinated for measles prior to their arrival […]

[…] majority of the more than 70,000 refugees resettled annually across the United States through the federal refugee resettlement program are not required to have been vaccinated for measles prior to their arrival […]

[…] of the more than 70,000 refugees resettled annually across the United States through the federal refugee resettlement program are not required to have been vaccinated for measles prior to their arrival […]

[…] majority of the more than 70,000 refugees resettled annually across the United States through the federal refugee resettlement program are not required to have been vaccinated for measles prior to their arrival […]

[…] Corcoran is aware of the degree to which we are electing to support immigrant populations in preference to native-born citizens. The figures have increased substantially since she compiled a report on the subject in 2013. Federal contractors who manage the refugee program are clearly involved in making sure that refugees from Muslim countries are especially well-insulated from the American economy. […]

[…] Corcoran is aware of the degree to which we are electing to support immigrant populations in preference to native-born citizens. The figures have increased substantially since she compiled a report on the subject in 2013. Federal contractors who manage the refugee program are clearly involved in making sure that refugees from Muslim countries are especially well-insulated from the American economy. […]

[…] Welfare use is staggering among refugees. Welfare usage is never counted by officials as part of the cost of the program. Yet, when it is included, the total cost of the refugee program soars to at least 10-20 billion a year. (Source) […]

[…] entrepreneurs appear to be deaf, dumb, and blind. Nine voluntary agencies (“volags”) have a near monopoly as refugee resettlement contractors. And while there are many good and sincere people working in […]

[…] entrepreneurs appear to be deaf, dumb, and blind. Nine voluntary agencies (“volags”) have a near monopoly as refugee resettlement contractors. And while there are many good and sincere people working in […]

[…] the stranger,” the USCCB urges the Catholic faithful to pray for a continued commitment to refugee resettlement, as well as “advocacy” for migrants by politicians, policy-makers, and Catholic laymen. […]

[…] the stranger,” the USCCB urges the Catholic faithful to pray for a continued commitment to refugee resettlement, as well as “advocacy” for migrants by politicians, policy-makers, and Catholic laymen. The […]

It is untrue that “Membership in a U.S.-registered Islamic terrorist group is not a bar to entry on the program as long as the refugee was not a “direct participant” in “terrorist” activity.” In fact, Section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which determines who may qualify as a refugee, bars even the granting of a waiver for any reason to a proposed refugee who is inadmissible to the U.S. under subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (E) of paragraph (3) of section 212(a) of the Act, which includes any person who” is a member of a terrorist organization” as designated by the Department of State or Congress, or even whom a government official considers to engage in terrorist activity which, incidentally, includes virtually any act of violence which is contrary to the laws of that country EVEN IF IT IS DONE TO RESIST VIOLENT OPPRESSION WITH U.S. SUPPORT! Thus, we have today the paradox that ANYONE WHO HAS SERVED IN ANY U.S. BACKED RESISTANCE GROUP IS NOW PERMANENTLY BARRED FROM THE U.S. This includes, for example, anyone who served with the mujahadeen fighting the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. I know this for a fact because I am personally aware of cases of persons who although they managed to get to the U.S. before this bar came in place, now cannot get U.S. permanent residence BECAUSE THEY SUPPORTED U.S. FINANCED GROUPS in Afghanistan. This support, incidentally, may be as innocuous as cooking food, handing out leaflets or, as is commonly the case, making “donations” to such group which are in fact extortions. In fact EVEN THOSE PERSONS WHO PAID MONEY TO KIDNAPPERS TO OBTAIN THE RELEASE OF THEIR RELATIVES are now considered “terrorists” and so permanently barred from the United States under our bizarre and ridiculous laws. So please do not believe those, like the author of this purported “Fact Sheet” who say that the U.S. is permitting members of “Islamic terrorist groups” to enter the U.S. The reality is just the opposite- we aren’t admitting ANYONE who was a member of ANY GROUP that has in any way been involved in or supported any group engaged in violence, even if the violence is in self-defense against foreign invaders, even if the was just to bribe terrorists to leave them alone, EVEN IF THE “TERRORISTS” WERE U.S. BACKED AND FINANCED GROUPS. Does that seem like a reasonable way of running a refugee program?

Ann Corcoransaid

The author did not claim that any “Islamic terrorists” entered the U.S. She merely claimed that one could be a member of a terrorist group and be admitted, which is absolutely false. The last publicly known case of anyone known to be associated with a terrorist group which purported to be based on Islamic principles entering the U.S. were of course the Al Qaeda members who ultimately hijacked planes on September 11. Security checks on people applying for visa were minimal then, and of course we now know that the CIA was aware that two these people were associated with extremist groups but did nothing to prevent their entry. A lot has changed since then. Of course Tafsheen Malik probably was a terrorist sympathizer when she was admitted to the U.S. in 2014 but there is no evidence she was ever a member of any particular group.

In those very rare cases where persons who have been associated with terrorist groups have entered the U.S. (the only I can think since 9/11 is Faisal Shahzad) they obviously did not disclose that association to U.S. immigration officials and our intelligence in those particular instances were not good enough to catch them. Your response gives the impression that you believe that numerous “Islamic terrorists” have entered the U.S. without providing any basis for it. I would like to know if that is in fact your opinion and if so why. I would also like to know why, since you have read my comment and the legal citations contained in it, you have not withdrawn the obviously false claim that “Membership in a U.S.-registered Islamic terrorist group is not a bar to entry on the program as long as the refugee was not a “direct participant” in “terrorist” activity.”

We should help the refugees. But any assistance should be temporary/short term. I also don’t think it’s appropriate that they are able to access SSI or any social security money because they haven’t paid into it at all. If they’re so sick and disabled they can’t work, maybe they shouldn’t be admitted. Or, the VOLAGS should be the ones to take care of them. We should allow the refugees in but they should be in a position to support themselves without any government assistance in short order after getting resettled.

Perhaps my understanding of how SSI / SSDI, etc works is flawed, but I believe the amount you are paid when you claim retirement or disability is determined by how much you have put into it. If, say, you’d been steadily employed for 30 years at $60K/year, you’ll get a phenomenal SSI / SSDI check each month. However, if you’d only been working for two or three years before making a claim, say at $15K/yr since most refugees are employed at the bottom end of the scale, you’d get virtually nothing back each month.

Ann Corcoransaid

mbabbittsaid

Any country that does not aim at assimilation – at least in the long run – of great amounts of immigrants is committing suicide. Many people are in denial of what cultural differences really mean, minimizing them in their thinking, True acceptance of differences leads to wiser decision making and protecting in one’s culture what are considered its best and most defining features and qualities.

[…] of incoming nationalities, and the resettlement processing priorities each year. To date the Congress has not disputed or challenged presidential priorities and plans that are carried out by the State Department’s […]

[…] group it wants to be a refugee or asylum seeker (e.g., the Montagnards). The refugee program has gradually shifted towards the resettlement of refugees from Muslim countries; some are Christians or other […]

[…] doing just as much if not more, in contributing to our very tenuous national security. According to Refugee Resettlement Watch, one of the operative assumptions of those in the refugee industry is that, since the U.S. is […]

[…] refugee resettlement program, aims to resettle 70,000 total refugees a year. It is estimated that roughly 40 percent of all refugees come from predominantly Muslim countries. WND has reported the U.S. has accepted […]

[…] As thousands of new immigrants are slated to arrive over the next few years, the chances of rubbing shoulders with Islamic terrorists increase dramatically. The percentage of Muslims in the Refugee Resettlement Program was close to zero in the 1990’s. By the year 2000 it was 44%. Post 9/11 that number dropped, but now sits at 40% and rising. The fact that, “Membership in a U.S.-registered Islamic terrorist group is not a bar to entry on the program as long as the refugee was not a “direct participant” in “terrorist” activity”, raises even more red flags about this business. See here: […]

[…] refugee resettlement program, aims to resettle 70,000 total refugees a year. It is estimated that roughly 40 percent of all refugees come from predominantly Muslim countries. WND has reported the U.S. has accepted […]

[…] refugee resettlement program, aims to resettle 70,000 total refugees a year. It is estimated that roughly 40 percent of all refugees come from predominantly Muslim countries. WND has reported the U.S. has accepted […]

[…] refugee resettlement program, aims to resettle 70,000 total refugees a year. It is estimated that roughly 40 percent of all refugees come from predominantly Muslim countries. WND has reported the U.S. has accepted […]

[…] refugee resettlement program, aims to resettle 70,000 total refugees a year. It is estimated that roughly 40 percent of all refugees come from predominantly Muslim countries. WND has reported the U.S. has accepted […]

[…] refugee resettlement program, aims to resettle 70,000 total refugees a year. It is estimated that roughly 40 percent of all refugees come from predominantly Muslim countries. WND has reported the U.S. has accepted […]

[…] refugee resettlement program, aims to resettle 70,000 total refugees a year. It is estimated that roughly 40 percent of all refugees come from predominantly Muslim countries. WND has reported the U.S. has accepted […]

[…] refugee resettlement program, aims to resettle 70,000 total refugees a year. It is estimated that roughly 40 percent of all refugees come from predominantly Muslim countries. WND has reported the U.S. has accepted […]

[…] refugee resettlement program, aims to resettle 70,000 total refugees a year. It is estimated that roughly 40 percent of all refugees come from predominantly Muslim countries. WND has reported the U.S. has accepted […]

[…] refugee resettlement program, aims to resettle 70,000 total refugees a year. It is estimated that roughly 40 percent of all refugees come from predominantly Muslim countries. WND has reported the U.S. has accepted […]

[…] refugee resettlement program, aims to resettle 70,000 total refugees a year. It is estimated that roughly 40 percent of all refugees come from predominantly Muslim countries. WND has reported the U.S. has accepted […]

[…] refugee resettlement program, aims to resettle 70,000 total refugees a year. It is estimated that roughly 40 percent of all refugees come from predominantly Muslim countries. WND has reported the U.S. has accepted […]

[…] Please check out the highlighted links for more information on this urgent topic. We’ve been shocked at what’s happening with the “colonization” of America with illegals and refugees. Both of these groups are flooding America sucking tax dollars out of communities and our nation. Be aware like Athens, GA and Spartanburg, SC were when they were targeted for colonization. To read more about Refugee Resettlement: Refugee Resettlement Fact Sheet […]

[…] “Welfare use is staggering among refugees. Welfare usage is never counted by officials as part of the cost of the program. Yet, when it is included, the total cost of the refugee program soars to at least 10-20 billion a year”. (see Fact Sheet) […]

[…] According to David Robinson, a former acting director of the State Department’s refugee bureau, writing about the refugee contractors: “the federal government provides about ninety percent of its collective budget” and its lobbying umbrella “wields enormous influence over the Administration’s refugee admissions policy. It lobbies the Hill effectively to increase the number of refugees admitted for permanent resettlement each year ….If there is a conflict of interest, it is never mentioned…. The solution its members offer to every refugee crisis is simplistic and the same: increase the number of admissions to the United States without regard to budgets…” (see here) […]

[…] According to David Robinson, a former acting director of the State Department’s refugee bureau, writing about the refugee contractors: “the federal government provides about ninety percent of its collective budget” and its lobbying umbrella “wields enormous influence over the Administration’s refugee admissions policy. It lobbies the Hill effectively to increase the number of refugees admitted for permanent resettlement each year ….If there is a conflict of interest, it is never mentioned…. The solution its members offer to every refugee crisis is simplistic and the same: increase the number of admissions to the United States without regard to budgets…” (see here) […]

[…] According to David Robinson, a former acting director of the State Department’s refugee bureau, writing about the refugee contractors: “the federal government provides about ninety percent of its collective budget” and its lobbying umbrella “wields enormous influence over the Administration’s refugee admissions policy. It lobbies the Hill effectively to increase the number of refugees admitted for permanent resettlement each year ….If there is a conflict of interest, it is never mentioned…. The solution its members offer to every refugee crisis is simplistic and the same: increase the number of admissions to the United States without regard to budgets…” (see here) […]

[…] According to David Robinson, a former acting director of the State Department’s refugee bureau, writing about the refugee contractors: “the federal government provides about ninety percent of its collective budget” and its lobbying umbrella “wields enormous influence over the Administration’s refugee admissions policy. It lobbies the Hill effectively to increase the number of refugees admitted for permanent resettlement each year ….If there is a conflict of interest, it is never mentioned…. The solution its members offer to every refugee crisis is simplistic and the same: increase the number of admissions to the United States without regard to budgets…” (see here) […]

[…] quiet effort” rife with corruption (e.g., leading to chain migration of relatives; see their fact sheet). It is also thoroughly incentivized so that it’s a very lucrative business for organizations […]

I work for a nonprofit that assists refugees. This information is just blatantly untrue. The average amount of time we work with each client is 2-6 years. Most refugees feel deeply ashamed of needing government assistance, and want jobs (more than anything else) so they can be independent. Most of them worked in their counties, until war and oppression landed them in camps where they lost their independence. Coming to the U.S. is really seen as a chance for them to be whole again. The main mission of every nonprofit I know is to promote acculturation (similar to assimilation) and to assist refugees in getting jobs and setting up businesses so they are no longer living in poverty on welfare (and make no mistake, on welfare, they are in deep poverty). What is your problem? You are really just lying here.

tomasrosesaid

what nonprofit do you work for? The main non-profit in our town would not let a refugee take their English language classes because the refugee had been in the country for 8 months and the non-profit contracts with the feds to teach for 8 months only. that’s it. Do you really think you can master English as a pre-literate individual after just 8 months in the country? Also, I hear from refugees themselves that they are basically dumped into shoddy housing and left alone. On the other hand there is some good support from concerned volunteers. You will have to be more exact about which statements are untrue.

[…] and other South Americans are only a part of the problem. There are various networks and agencies (nearly 500 currently work throughout the country) that lobby state governments and federal legislators for refugees seeking […]

[…] what most Americans would expect. It’s always a shock to people when they first find out how Refugee Resettlement works. Instead of giving refuge to the religious minorities that are persecuted, oppressed and […]

[…] what most Americans would expect. It’s always a shock to people when they first find out how Refugee Resettlement works. Instead of giving refuge to the religious minorities that are persecuted, oppressed and […]

[…] what most Americans would expect. It’s always a shock to people when they first find out how Refugee Resettlement works. Instead of giving refuge to the religious minorities that are persecuted, oppressed and […]

[…] what most Americans would expect. It’s always a shock to people when they first find out how Refugee Resettlement works. Instead of giving refuge to the religious minorities that are persecuted, oppressed and […]

[…] from what most Americans would expect. It’s always a shock to people when they first find out how Refugee Resettlement works. Instead of giving refuge to the religious minorities that are persecuted, oppressed and […]

[…] visas and religious visas. It’s always a shock to people when they first find out how Refugee Resettlement works. Instead of giving refuge to the religious minorities that are persecuted, oppressed and […]

[…] what most Americans would expect. It’s always a shock to people when they first find out how Refugee Resettlement works. Instead of giving refuge to the religious minorities that are persecuted, oppressed and […]

[…] Thanks to Refugee Resettlement Watch for publishing vital information about refugee resettlement and it's current impact.Pay close attention to #16 and #17 (posted here)! The resources are just not there to sustain this.Here is a link to the full Fact Sheet.——————————————————————————————16. Refugees, successful asylum seekers, trafficking victim visa holders, “Cuban-Haitian Entrants” (which are mostly Cuban), S.I.V’s (for Iraqis and Afghanis) and other smaller humanitarian admission groups are eligible for ALL federal, state and local welfare programs 30 days after arrival.Refugee access to welfare on the same basis as a U.S. citizen has made the program a global magnet.The federal programs available to them include:∙ Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) formerly known as AFDC ∙ Medicaid ∙ Food Stamps ∙ Public Housing ∙ Supplemental Security Income (SSI) ∙ Social Security Disability Insurance ∙ Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) (direct services only) ∙ Child Care and Development Fund ∙ Independent Living Program ∙ Job Opportunities for Low Income Individuals (JOLI) ∙ Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) ∙ Postsecondary Education Loans and Grants ∙ Refugee Assistance Programs ∙ Title IV Foster Care and Adoption Assistance Payments (if parents are ⌠qualified immigrants – refugees, asylees, etc) ∙ Title XX Social Services Block Grant Funds17. Welfare use is staggering among refugees. Welfare usage is never counted by officials as part of the cost of the program. Yet, when it is included, the total cost of the refugee program soars to at least 10-20 billion a year.As some Americans are pushed off of time-limited welfare programs many refugees are going on to life-time cash assistance programs. For instance, 12.7% of refugees are on SSI – a lifetime entitlement to a monthly check / Medicaid for elderly or disabled. This rate of usage is at least 4 times higher than the rate of usage for SSI among the native-born population and is reportedly rising from these already very high levels.Permanent and intergenerational welfare dependence has been allowed to take hold to a significant degree in some refugee groups.Find latest welfare usage among refugees here (latest data available is from 2009): https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/orr/fy_2009_annual_report_to_congress.pdfFind table TABLE II-14: Public Assistance Utilization Among refugees who arrived during the 5 years previous to the survey 57.7% are on government medical assistance such as Medicaid, about 25% have no health insurance at all, 70.2% are receiving food stamps, 31.6% are in public housing (an additional percentage is on a public housing waiting list), and 38.3 % are getting cash assistance such as TANF or SSI.The figure of 57.7% dependent upon government medical assistance is actually an undercount since it excludes children under 16. […]

Put yourself in Native Americans & Mexicans shoes, we were the Indigenous people of this CONTINENT, & here you all our taking over everything in our WORLD! We never asked for any of this, If the USA would stay out of other COUNTRIES business all for the LOVE Of resources & Greed, then most countries could deal with their own People. We were doing fine before your take over of our COUNTRY, Think before you think, cause we are treated like garbage in our own homelands. but refugees get loans, cars, homes, money monthly from GOVT for coming here. We get racially stereotyped, deported, shunned, & treated like second class citizens. THINK ABOUT THIS For Awhile cause we live a lifetime of it everyday. HELP Your own people before extending your hand to another!!~!

– Total daily commuting time round trip shall not normally exceed 2 hours, not including the transportation of a child to and from a child care facility, unless a longer commuting time and distance is normally accepted in the community.

[…] resettlement is a profitable activity funded by federal, state, and local tax money. According to one website, there are nine major refugee resettlement organizations with 450 affiliated organizations […]

[…] resettlement is a profitable activity funded by federal, state, and local tax money. According to one website, there are nine major refugee resettlement organizations with 450 affiliated organizations […]

[…] what most Americans would expect. It’s always a shock to people when they first find out how Refugee Resettlement works. Instead of giving refuge to the religious minorities that are persecuted, oppressed and […]

[…] what most Americans would expect. It’s always a shock to people when they first find out how Refugee Resettlement works. Instead of giving refuge to the religious minorities that are persecuted, oppressed and […]

[…] what most Americans would expect. It’s always a shock to people when they first find out how Refugee Resettlement works. Instead of giving refuge to the religious minorities that are persecuted, oppressed and […]

[…] what most Americans would expect. It’s always a shock to people when they first find out how Refugee Resettlement works. Instead of giving refuge to the religious minorities that are persecuted, oppressed and […]

sab0514said

I’m all for assisting refugees to come to the US in moderate, sustainable numbers. I am not for people coming here to live off the taxpayer. They should not get more than 6 months of public assistance. I’m seeing many of these refugees in subsidized housing for years here in Minneapolis where we have one of the largest refugee populations of any state. Then I see them using their food stamp card and then carrying their groceries out to a very nice new car (I drive a 12 yr old car because my wages were slashed in half and I now cant even find a job). Even unemployed I was not eligible for any assistance because I did a very stupid thing….I rented out rooms in my house so I could keep it out of foreclosure and that is counted as income while my house payment is not counted as an expense (only a small part of it is). Gee, imagine that, I found a way to be self-sustaining. There aren’t enough jobs for all the people who are currently unemployed so I think we need to stop refugee resettlement until our own house is in order. We also need to keep sick people out. Why should I pay for their healthcare when I, and thousands of other citizens, don’t even have healthcare?

[…] and public institutions that demand the addition of Muslim chaplains, regardless of ideology. Ofparasitical federal contractors which make a killing by resettling scores of refugees who are a drain on state coffers in towns […]

[…] and public institutions that demand the addition of Muslim chaplains, regardless of ideology. Of parasitical federal contractors which make a killing by resettling scores of refugees who are a drain on state coffers in towns […]

[…] Refugee Resettlement Watch – In recent years up to 95% of the refugees coming to the U.S. were referred by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or were the relatives of UN-picked refugees.Until the late 90’s the U.S. picked the large majority of refugees for resettlement in the U.S. Considering that the refugee influx causes increases in all legal and illegal immigration as family and social networks are established in the U.S., the U.N. is effectively dictating much of U.S. immigration policy. The focus of the refugee program has shifted from those fleeing our cold war adversaries to more diverse populations from Africa, South East Asia and the Middle East. […]

Somalia refugees who settled in Yemen refugee camp under protection of UNHCR(United Nation High Commissioner for Refugee, and many Somalis are settled in this refugee almost for 6years without nothing, which means, without university or any additional things, as well as almost all refugee who settled in this refugee camp live Kenya and Ethiopia got the chance to go to Canada/U.S and some other third country, but Somalis refugee in Yemen and some refugee like Oromio didn’t get like the other refugees in the world-wide so if something is possible refugees here would like to get some things better then this …………………

PHsaid

i am very happy for usa governemt.thanks alot for you help us all over the world.I AM a refugge from east africa my all family are there…so what can i doplease?becouse my parents they are seniors my sisiters (7yrs,14yrs,16yr)+my brother(9yrs old) ,ther are under 16.even the resettlemnt they did give them the opportunity.even my dad is very sick.diabetes,asthma,hypertension,stomach….etc
i dont know how and when they come?i am worring abaut them!
MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA!
thanks

Taqiyya_Rosesaid

RE: 11. HIV waivers for refugees. These are no longer needed as HIV is no longer a bar for any type of immigration. I have heard they no longer even test refugees for HIV, so we don’t even know the scope of the problem we are importing.

RE: 13. 450 mill balance due from transportation loans. This figure is at least 5 years old. I am sure the current balance is much, much higher. Maybe State Department readers of this site have the latest data?

We first of all would like to extend our profound gratitude, thanks and appreciation to His Excellency president Barack Obama and his enterage for the vibrant decision in rendering American hospitality to poor-suffering, wr-affected, vulnerable and stranded refugees around the world.

Meanwhile, it is our fervent hope that this time State Department will give attention to stranded Liberian in Guinea who have been totally discriminated, marginalized and abandoned by the UNHCR-Guinea. Further, we will highly appreciate should all referral cases by the UNHCR-Guinea be thoroughly scrutinized.

Vanishing Americansaid

Ann,
You have written up a very informative piece with a lot of valuable if depressing information.

But reading the comments above leaves me feeling even more depressed. If the bulk of the comments here represent the average American’s attitude toward what is being done to historic, ‘old’
America, by which I mean the country of my birth, the country my ancestors founded and fought for and preserved up until 1960 or so, then we are in profound trouble. And I am reminded of why I had to take a break from blogging.

I can only comfort myself, after reading many of the above comments, by believing that this blog is being ‘swarmed’ by people who found a link to your site on a lefty blog or forum. In other words, the commenters are ‘politically correct’ multiculturalist ‘seminar posters’ sent here to spread talking points and to stifle any politically incorrect, patriotic American sentiment.

To all of you who chastise this blog or who denounce any defense of traditional America, just know that you are not representative of the America which my forefathers founded; your intolerant political correctness is very much born of Karl Marx and his ilk, and not of Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, or any of our Founding Fathers.

And no, this country was not founded by ”immigrants” OR refugees, (who come to an existing nation), but it was founded by colonists who came here to worship God as their consciences dictated, and to establish a country for their posterity — that is, their descendants. It was never meant to accommodate the whole planet’s population.

I expect to be called names in response to my honest opinions, but I will consider any names hurled at me as a badge of honor.

whereisyourcompassionsaid

Vanishing American, if you are referencing the first colonists that landed on plymouth rock as your forefathers are we to assume you are a strict practicing puritan or calvinist? And that you don’t go to church and only practice religion by reading the bible? If not, then there are some major flaws in your argument. Also this group didn’t discover anything.. they settled in a land that already had many groups living here (native americans) additionally there were other cultures that had inhabitated america.. Additionally, unless you were purely and wholly descended from one of these puritans you yourself are descended from immigrants and are somewhat hypocritical in your statements.

“The Pilgrims were a specific group of Calvinist Christians ..these dissatisfied subjects separated from the Church of England in favor of a type of Christianity without a church hierarchy with the Bible as the only authority. Without a hierarchy, many different interpretations of the Christian faith were practiced by various separatist groups. As a whole, these groups can also be called puritans….The Pilgrim Church no longer exists as a single entity. They were a type of Calvinists and puritans. Their religion is similar to today’s Baptists, Congregationalists, and Methodists, but none of these religions is identical to the Pilgrims’ religion.”

So before we go railing on about how other countries are coming in and mucking up our supposedly chrystal clear liberty bell and apple pie America, let’s not forget the facts of history here..America is a country of immigrants. Many who have worked hard and prospered out of nothing. We should all be proud of that.

I liked your comment those are the true facts of this country. But, I am a Native American & we as true American still can’t receive any such sort of Assistance like if we were Refugees maybe we would stop being treated like second class citizens someday? But, I know that will never happen, because we weren’t supposed to live this long? But, we did so I want some right’s thrown our way sometime very soon. Cause I think we deserve something for being MISPLACED in our past for all the INDIGNITIES & HATE CRIMES COMMITTED on us since BIRTH. But, anyways we will stay strong forever no matter what happen in the past, present & future. This is a land of Immigrants so why do they treat Mexican’s so poorly also? They are the hardest working people in the USA. They do jobs that nobody else will do, with no complaints. SOMEDAY SOON maybe the Govt will see the true people they treat the worst in the USA are the most honest & stronger moral people here.

Vadersaid

Vanishing American: It should also be added that many of the founding fathers, in all of their wisdom, also founded the country, and unjustifiably profited, using the forced migration of slaves to work their cotton and tobacco fields. Even if Franklin and Jefferson denounced it at times (there’s a whole host of problematic issues around that can of worms), many more supported it and thought it a mighty good thing to trade New England rum for the less-than-fully-human brown folks. The money was good, their self-satisfied white bellies were stuffed, and their future bright. Let’s hope that we evolve into a much broader horizon than what has come before.

Samuel Edrickssaid

Please I will like to know more about the sierra leonean refugees who are yet in exile languishing and also cannot go back home to their father land due to problems. Please tell me what the US ought to do about them?

dolechasaid

I can’t tell you how flawed your immigration system is or other bullshit your writing……But i can tell you something[how i end up being an asylum seeker]i came vie the Mexico border.I haven’t in my wildest dream thought of coming to USA to be illegal this way.I was having a multiple profession with a very comfertabel income.But your country is helping a blood sucker in East Africa in the name of terrorism it let us flee our beloved country hence,it is your responsibility to give us what we lost in our respective country’s.You have to take responsiblity.I am not saying that all of us have the same reason to be here,but there are fewor many of us who don’t want to be here but were forced to be.

there is so different and far to understand between refugee and not refugee because there is so different knowledge and experience between refugee and not/refugee.
meaning to say,firstly need to understand about refugee and secondly,touching the bitter of refugee’s felt and life.

francois Songie Kapoyosaid

a. I left my country because of the war in the eastern province
where i come from in 2003, i lost my father and i don’t know where is
the rest of my family

2.What do you believe will happen to you if you return to your country?

a. I left my country six years ago, i don’t have any qualification
and i don’t know what i can do for living. There is not hope for me
over there i left when i was 22 years old after finish my high school.

3.What has happened to you in South Africa?

a. My life is not safe at all and there isn’t hope for my future,
life is very painfully for me all this six years my life is getting
very wast. I found a job when i went for the interview they found-out
that i don’t speak Afrikaans then they tell me that they gonna called
me until know. There is hope for me here.

4.Why do you need to be resettled to another country?

a. Because i don’t see my future here, i am living with my nephew i
can’t afford to send him to school. I went to cape-town refugee
reception they can’t help. i need also to study in a safe country.
Please any country but not in South Africa. The only thing i learn
here is my English.

A refugee understands the life of refugees. If you are not a refugee, you are so far from us. What I can say is Refugees are suffering more than you understand them. Whoever we are, Whatever we are, We are human. We are under the word, HUMAN. Thank you, everyone here for sharing Refugee Life. One condition, We are named as Refugees, anyhow, we are the people among people.

Jessesaid

People who are trying to better themselves and their families are not the problem. Liberal/ Socialist who see the U.S.A. as a terrorist state are. While the U.S.A. is not perfect, it is better than any other country. We have a problem with immagrants, legal and illegal. No more should be allowed in for a period of years. Untill the ones we have are assimilated. Any group that does not learn ENGLISH, and adopt American values, is a threat. They can still maintain their culture and heritige. BUT THEY MUST BECOME AMERICANS. Otherwise this country will go the way of Yougoslavia.

Dylansaid

CLsaid

I understand the plight of refugees and have no problem with those that come here, and make a better life for themselves and for america. My problem is those that disrespect america and still want a hand out. As someone new to Minnesota, I had never met a Somali person (although I do have some really great muslim friends..which is not the issue). I bought a nice house only to find out the house next to me was rented by Somalis. They take no pride in where they live at all. THe place is always a mess. THey are loud and very disrespectful. Their teen kids are even worse. We have had to call the cops on them 3 times. They have done everything from ruin items on my property to stealing. One is headed to jail for a gang-related stabbing. They always have new cars in front of their house….and after about 6 months they are all banged up and then they just go get new ones….Many times their bills end up in my mailbox and I have to take them over, several times they have had court summons for drinking and drugs. I have finally decided to put my house on the market and try to move. I hope potential buyers wont be scared away by them…although I would. These are NOT the ppl I want in america. They are users…I am glad I am paying for their new cars and for all of their children to get a nice public education. what is sad is that I had no hard feeling toward them until I actually met them. Ugh.

Sarahsaid

CL – I can’t believe you actually posted the above. It is very ignorant to assume that one household of Somalis speaks for all Somalis placed in the United States. I worked with Somalis in North Dakota and had a wonderful experience. Their houses were always clean, they were so friendly, they shared used cars, and worked very hard for what they had. Yes, there are always going to be people in every culture and background who are rude, too loud, break the law, and spend more than they can afford – but you should not generalize off of meeting one household!

sab0514said

I live in Minneapolis and dread it every time a Somalian family moves into the revolving house down the block. I have not run into one of those families that have been a positive addition to our neighborhood. I wish they listed crime stats by nationality here. I would be very surprised if the crime rates amongst the Somalians wasn’t the highest.

Put yourself in a Somali’s shoes. Chances are they or a close family member have experienced AT LEAST one of the following:
* Military occupation of their home country
It is now proven that the US and other countries have been COVERTLY operating in Somalia. Reports of drone attacks, and even “American Taliban” (American soldiers who don’t dress in typical uniform and who have beards, hence their “American Taliban” name)
* Friend(s) or relative(s) killed as a result of the civil unrest, or a military strike
* Months or years in a refugee camp
* Transition to a new country, new climate, new language, new EVERYTHING!!!
* Inability to get a decent job at a decent wage
* Far Far FAR from home, and dwindling thoughts of ever returning
* Racism
* Depression
* Loneliness
* Helplessness

The list goes on and on.
I’ve spent just 4 years overseas as a teacher. I was highly respected by my colleagues and peers. I had a close group of friends and found support when needed. But even with all of that, I still felt like a foreigner, and still had moments of loneliness. But family was just a Skype call away, and I was able to go home every summer for 5-6 weeks.
I can’t imagine being forced from not just my home, but my country, never to return again, knowing things will NEVER be the way they were.

CL, you stated that you “understand the plight of refugees” – no sir, you don’t!!! And don’t even think for a second you have any idea what they are going through, because you obviously do not.
America is the reason why they are here. We are responsible for their plight, and they know this. Here are some facts:

Fact
JSOC (Joint Special Operations Command) “operates with practically no accountability” according to Wired magazine, and it’s these “soldiers” (assassins for hire) that are kidnapping, torturing, and killing innocent civilians, and they’re getting away with it.

Now imagine yourself here in America, with Chinese or Russian soldiers patrolling your neighborhood, drones flying overhead, violent civil unrest, stories of corruption and murder (like those above), and if all that’s not enough, add to it this:

FAMINE
A CNN report stated:
Between 2010 and 2012, more than a quarter of a million people died in the famine in Somalia — in part because the world was too slow to react, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Somalia said Thursday.http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/02/world/africa/somalia-famine/

So now, CL, you’re starving, relatives and friends around you are dying either violently or from lack of food and resources. Now it’s gotten so bad and so dangerous, you have to leave. But your not just going to another state, and your not just going to be gone for a few months. Your going to another country on the other side of the world, a different climate (around 40%, nearly half of Somali immigrants to America live in cold Minnesota), a different religious social dynamic, and you’re living in a country that is – in some strange way – at war with you!

Ann Corcoransaid

I have edited your comment to take out the personal name calling and foul language. I can never understand why people with your view, a legitimate view from someone exhorting us all to be better people, to then use such mean language while trying to be a ‘good’ person.

lizsaid

I volunteer for the List Project, which resettles Iraqi refugees who worked for the U.S. government in Iraq as translators, doctors, engineers, to name a few. As a result of their association with Americans, they are hunted, killed, and have their houses burned down.

Why would you not want to help resettle and fund these Iraqis? They suffered terribly while working for OUR GOVERNMENT in a war we started. They come here as very highly educated people who simply want peace and a safe place to live. They are muslim and christian.

In response in general to your blog…you have your points, but I’d watch your approach. I wouldn’t attack volags as much as you do because the problems involve a lot of things that are outside almost anyone’s control.

Also, you talk about people going back to their countries…most people think that life in America will be great, but having no experience with high costs of living and no job experience the realities are tough. I work in a resettlement office and what everyone is up against is staggering. Many people do just want to go back. But with time they adjust. Many of our Iraqi clients wanted to go back when they were faced with certain realities. Having lived a fairly prosperous life in Baghdad only years before and living as urban refugees before coming to the United States, the situation brings different dynamics than affording the opportunity for a good life to a Somali Bantu family whose people have been discriminated against for hundreds of years.

Remember too that we are providing opportunity to some extraordinary people that have already lived through a lot. They are given the freedom to live, work and access social services just like any other American. I say, why not? Get some reform going, but don’t overthrow the system.

Tom Bousmansaid

My faith is not allowed to pray in School, Muslims are allowed special me. The God in whom or fathers place their trust and whose name is on our currency is not the frivolous ‘Alla’ that the Muslims are willing to kill Christians and Jews to satisfy. The islamic terrorist are merely pacing another face on “Human Sacrifice”
There are more than 70,000 Muslims in SoCal alone.

Dylansaid

HUH? I don’t understand your post.
ANYONE can pray is school. There are no laws against that, and if there are local or school laws against that, then they are unconstitutional. However, I think teachers are unable to lead prayers in school during school hours.

Vadersaid

Actually, the God to which you refer probably bears little resemblance to the Christian god celebrated in the present day. An example is the well-known sentiments shared by Franklin and Jefferson et. al. – both were Deists, an Enlightenment idea that there is a Creator, but was a reaction against/alternative to the institutionalized Christian diety. But that’s beside the point…

MMsaid

First, the issue of refugee resettlement is annoying by the fact that it involves the use of some of our tax dollars, this like foreign aid given out by a nation that is deeply in debt is ridiculous. As the economy continues to go downward, our government should not be importing cheap labor to aid companies like Tyson’s who benefit from these poor people being brought in to work cheaper than American born labor. That Shelbyville plant, like many other food processing plants across this country have been able to toss American workers who wanted to have decent wages in exchange for cheap labor of these poor refugees who are located with help from us-mostly unknown to the average citizen. When this nation is debt free, then we should give aid, both home and abroad. There does seem to be a lot on this site directed toward islamic refugees, as for the muslim convert who was critical of those who were upset about the Shelbyville comments. You sir were able to convert from Christianity without fear of any reprisal, your new faith is one in which if you did change back to Christianity from islam, and lived in a nation under sharia law-you could be condemned to death. The fear of this backward, barbaric sharia islamic law is what most American’s fear. So why don’t you shut your mouth with your comments being critical of Christian and Jewish people-Christian’s especially since you can be sure, no mostly islamic nation would ever welcome or pay for the resettlement of Christian refugees among them if they were to remain Christian. No sir, Christian faith based societies have their downfall when they are kind to the likes of people like muslims. As your numbers grow, you will and do start trouble. The proof is in the history of the nation’s overrun by them. Enough said, let us all work to end this stupid program of resettling what amounts to near slave labor for the profit of people like shareholders of Tyson’s Food. Shame on Shelby ville for putting up with this vile company and the dirt they bring into the community.

Dylansaid

MM…. We are FAR from having a Muslim take over of this country. That is fear-mongering…
Muslims are still a very small minority and the US, and will probably remain so for quite sometime. I don’t even think we have any Muslims in the House nor the Senate, so I don’t know how America would ever come under Islamic law in either of our life-times.

What Christain faith based societies have had their downfall by being kind to muslims? What countries are “overrun” by Muslims and causes such problems?

whereisyourcompassionsaid

MM I am also unhappy with some of my tax dollars being used to bring you your (US tax provided) mail everyday.. but that’s part of society.

Why do so many people have a hard time finding a common ground? Islam, Judaism, Christianity.. all religions that have a heavy basis on community. This country has a gaping wound. Instead of fear and anger.. people should try to learn about other things. They would probably find there are more similarities than differences. And the aspects that are supposedly barbaric might need seem so different. You argue that Islam is barbaric.. yet you forget that Christians partake in a ceremony that symbolizes eating the body of Christ and drinking his blood. Don’t you think to the common outsider that would seem pretty barbaric? I’m just saying from that perspective, you would say the outside doesn’t understand at all.. don’t you think there are scenarios like that from the other side as well?

Vadersaid

Part of the good news is that by giving refugees the meager bits of money when they get here ($900) for three months, is that once they are employed they will contribute to the tax base. I work with refugees as well, as a job developer on the east coast. They are very hard working and will accept most employment that is unacceptable to many Americans – such as: 15 hours per week (very occasionally are jobs more than 30 hours per week) standing in front of a hot dry cleaning press – often traveling by bus for more time than it takes do complete one shift of work (2 hours each way) – or working in a hotel, cleaning and scrubbing toilets and scummy rooms. It definitely isn’t an easy ticket, but once they get here, they pay their taxes and after a few months of work, they’ve paid their dues – plus they have to pay back any travel money given to them by the US or other agency.

In addition, they occasionally end up dealing with all the anti-immigration bigots that make their attempt to resettle all the more unpleasant.

flippityfloppitysaid

Vader-
Would you please do the math before opining “but once they get here, they pay their taxes and after a few months of work, they’ve paid their dues – plus they have to pay back any travel money given to them by the US or other agency. ”

If they get a job earning $10/hr for 20 hours per week, that’s just over $10k per annum. Any taxes that are taken from their paycheck is refunded. Once the “loan” runs out, they still have to find a way to pay rent, food, etc. and pay back the loan on below-poverty-level income. Many refugees dont pay back the loan, and those loans that are paid back are recycled into the program to increase services to refugees or expand the program.

All of you bleeding-heart name-callers probably scream about white-American carbon footprints, as well. How ridiculous is a program that takes refugees out of an area where their carbon footprint is nil and a single American dollar goes ten times as far and transports them thousands of miles away to foreign places, people, cultures and climate and gives them “starter” money amounting to $900 for 3 months?

I have no problem supporting refugees, just support them in their homeland.

a volunteersaid

Your statements about Manchester NH are incorrect. Refugee resettlement has not been shut down there; new refugees continue to arrive and succeed; and the lead poisoning problems occured because many refugees can afford only the poorest housing stock, where lead paint is a danger to any child. As far as disclosures by resettlement organizations, I agree that full, accurate information is valuable to communities where refugees settle. In that spirit, I think it would be helpful if the writers/editors of your site disclosed whether they have actual experience with/acquaintances who are refugees. As a volunteer who has worked with people from several different resettled populations, it sounds to me like you do not actually know the people you are writing about. I enjoy working with them, and do it in part to honor my Irish immigrant ancestors, who were the poorest of the poor and who I am sure were despised as uncouth interlopers in their neighborhood in New York City in the 1860s.

Mikesaid

I work in refugee resettlement. I’m a born American (white) and a convert from Christianity (Protestant) to Islam. I served in the US Air Force as a linguist during the first war in Iraq. I’m married to an east African woman.

After reading much of this site, I can’t tell exactly what the point is. Refugee resettlement in the US is undoubtedly flawed. You will get no argument from me on that. But is what upsets you so much the fact that many families being resettled in the US are Muslim? If you are against Muslims and/or Islam, that is your right but there would be no reason to argue about it. You must judge an individual and, if you’re Christian or Jewish, you have more than enough of your own issues to confront.

The reformation of resettlement in the US is something that should be discussed openly, as it is incredibly flawed. Contrary to what many think, the US gvt should not resettle people for purely humanitarian reasons. There must be some economic benefit to us as a nation or we’re waisting time and money.

The problems are, of course, rooted in policy at the highest levels of federal gvt. Current policy states that factors such as age, physical/mental disabilities, education, and work experience should not be considered when considering an individual for resettlement. I don’t think this is wise.

Recently the agency I work for resettled a single Burundian man, 74 yrs old, without relatives or friends in this area. He had health problems and couldn’t speak a word of English or Swahili (a common language among east and central Africans). The man died alone in his apartment less than two months after being resettled. It was a tragedy, first and most importantly, on a human level, as he was alone and far from anything familiar. It was also tragic that so many people spent so much time and money to fly him tens of thousands of miles to die alone. One example of how age and health should be considered when processing (the term used) a refugee for resettlement.

I could speak for days on some of the issues raised on this website, some of them I agree with. My last word here, however, is to implore those who are angry and resentful not to be angry at those who are being resettled. They are men and women, like ourselves, with children and a profound hope for a better future in the greatest country on Earth. If we encourage them, welcome them, and HELP THEM TO ASSIMILATE many of them will become great contributers to our local communities and our greater society.

As Katie Mathis wrote above, Jesus was a refugee. There are so many Bible passages about welcoming the stranger. It is a Jewish, Christian, and Muslim (believe it or not) tradition and a basic human virtue that we should all strive for.

By the way, resettlement agencies usually do not know that a family will come to them from one of the ten volags until a month or so before that family comes. That’s when we get what’s called an Arrival Notification. We would love to have more communication with local communities where the families will be resettled but most of the time it simply isn’t possible – at least for us here. And there’s no grand scheme for Muslims to take over the country. Funny thought because we can barely organize our own mosques. As a Muslim I can promise you it’ll never happen.

Hosnisaid

No such scheme required. Just keep bringing more Muslims here to feed and breed, and in a few decades it’s a fait accompli. Allah Ahkbar!

The browning of America and its descent to overcrowded low-IQ Third World cesspool status is caused, ultimately, by anti-white creeps like you. This is a warning: not all whites will let civilization go without a fight.

whereisyourcompassionsaid

the browning of america? are you serious? You bigots disturb me. That thinking is archaic, poisonous and just plain wrong. If you look back to your lineage you will rarely find that you are a “pure” white person as well. Someone probably married someone.. from france, from england, from germany.. Who is to say just because they were a german, french or english citizen they were pure white themselves? None of those countries is 100% “pure”. They have also had “refugees” as well from the beginning of their formation. From Italy, Greece, Morocco, other African nations, Turkey, etc.etc.. I am not an anti white person and I seriously doubt Mike is as well (that would mean he would be anti himself? which just doesn’t make any sense) but I would strongly encourage people to learn more before they make judgements. It is clear you are an anti-humanitarian. Before you spew out such vile crap, maybe you should take a closer really close look at all possible branches of your own heritage before making blanket statements about people you don’t even know.

Leahsaid

You know, the same thing was said about Catholics. People claimed that there was a Vatican conspiracy to take over the country by settling hordes of Catholics here. Somehow, I don’t think the Catholics have taken over yet, nor have they brought over the terrorism that has frequently been rampant in Northern Ireland.

Emsaid

Mike, I am a social worker and am currently working closely with about 300 African refugees who are trying to acculturate to U.S. society, learn English, get jobs (which they can’t get until they speak English well because employers either won’t hire them or will fire them for not speaking English). I live in a mid-size city that was fairly recently established as one of the government’s “preferred communities” for refugee resettlement. So, we have about 750 refugees and very few resources beyond the IRC, which ends care after the first 90 days they live in the U.S. Anyway, I’m working to get some transitional supportive services going since 90 days isn’t long enough to learn English, for example. You mentioned a Berundian man. We have a substantial Berundian population and they tend to have a more difficult time of it since they came from farming communities & most never had access to education–so, on top of not yet knowing any English, they cannot read or write in any language. This obviously make language acquisition more difficult. Do you (or anyone else) know of any resources that are nationally available or of any particularly successful programs that might provide good models for (1) training ESL teachers to teach literacy, (2) good refugee support groups, (3) establishing these kinds of continued supportive services or (4) anything else you can think of? Thanks.

Response to the haters:

And to speak to this kind of weird, rude conversation that’s been going on above, as Mike, Katie and others who have actually worked with refugees know, these people are very hard working and want desperately to learn English and figure out how to function here, but they’re in an alien land, they don’t know how to act in our culture, they don’t know what resources are out there and it takes time to learn English & the appropriate resources are often scarce (not to mention that English is one of the most difficult second languages in the world to learn). They were forced to flee their home countries because they were being slaughtered for political or racial reasons. Their mothers or brothers or daughters may have been killed in front of them. But they don’t talk about their past trauma–they talk about what they can do to learn how to be Americans and contributing members of society, but their efforts are often blocked partly because people think they’re just looking for handouts or something. They’re not booze hounds or drug users. They’re families that have been broken apart & displaced and just want to figure out how to live in this new place–and the do not get to choose where they are resettled. The government decides that.

So, to everyone who has been berating the refugees and their defenders, consider what you yourself might do–honestly–if you were put in such a situation. Say you are not fortunate enough to have been born here, but you are settled here as a refugee after having gone through these awful things. You need to learn English impossibly quickly, you don’t have a car, you can’t get a driver’s license or (probably) a job until you speak English, maybe you don’t know how to read because there were no schools to teach you how when you were growing up and you have no way of getting to the ESL class on the other side of town because you have no money to get a bus pass. What would you do?

Maybe, instead, you are literate, but are still learning English. You finally are able to get a job as a custodian–but before the political problems in your country forced you out, you had been a banker, a doctor or a lawyer. You take the job because that’s all there is to do, but, yes, it is a bit discouraging when you were once a doctor. You’re in the “land of opportunity” and the Americans think you’re so stupid that cleaning toilets is all you’re good for. (This is not to insult custodians or say they’re unintelligent–they’re not; this is just making a point. If you’ve gone to the trouble of going through medical school and all that entails and now after everything else your education & work is worthless that’s, well, kind of disheartening.) And what if everyone assumed that since you are poor and from another country that you don’t want to work hard when the problem is that you can’t get a job, though you try, precisely because you are from another country? It is a viscous cycle. And, by the way, I know people who have experienced the things I mentioned above. I didn’t pull those hypothetical situations out of a hat–they’re real.

And, no, they don’t deserve it because they’re Muslim & not Christian, if that’s what some people are thinking. No one deserves that. And, anyway, if that’s your hangup, most of the refugees I’ve met have been Christians. There are more Christians in Africa than in the U.S., actually. (That’s also not a slight against Muslims, Mike. Just a fact.)

In our day, we support freedom of religion and our america was founded on prnicipals of God’s Holy Law ! For people who know and have studied the history of Islam,they know that the Muslim Religion is not a religion of peace, Islam’s Koran, in the 4 th. expression of Jihad, within the 6 th. Piller states it very clearly that Muslims are free to murder those who do not convert to The Islamic religion. When Muslims are in the majority,they attack and kill Christians. Muslims do not believe in freedom of religion, therefore,they are not good subjects for America.

“Manchester, NH shut the program down completely after they had to build a wing on to the high school exclusively for English as a Second language students and had a problem with many refugee children having lead poisoning.”

This is absolutely untrue. I attended that high school – the new building was a long time coming because the high school is old and overcrowded, not because of the influx of refugees. It is true that the refugee population has led to adjustments (and my high school did have a large refugee population), but by no means has it been detrimental to anyone’s education.

The resettlement program was on a brief hiatus as the lead poisoning issues were worked out, but they’ve begun resettling refugees in Manchester again – particularly Burundians and Iraqis.

katie mathissaid

I have purposely chosen to live in an area of Dallas where refugees are resettled (going on 3 years in low income urban apts. My neighbors are all refugees. It seems that are some frustrations towards their resettlement in your article, but i would like to offer my experience. They are the best neighbors i’ve ever had.

One example: My Congolese neighbors escaped rebels in Congo after watching family members and family friends slaughtered before their eyes. The children still have nightmares. Here in the U.S., they proudly hang the U.S. flag to cover the entire living room wall. They are so proud to be in America- they hang up photos of George Bush, Bill Clinton, and Michael Jackson right next to the flag. Henry (the father) works fulltime at night to provide for his family. After being here one and a half years, they all finallyknow and speak fluent English. AND… he is repairing my car during the daytime and letting me drive his car to work! He repairs all the apt cars for his neighbors out of love and gratitude. Yeah, he is definitely bringing down the community…

My other neighbors- are equally hardworking, escaped equally traumatic experiences of famine and starvation, and are equally patriotic. I just don’t have time to write down each family.

I am an ESL teacher- why is it so awful to have ESL wings at highschool? Shouldn’t children and adults be learning English? Its pretty old fashioned for administrations to still flip out about this.

So I apologize on behalf of my African and Middle Eastern friends for wanting safety and food- at the expense of a few of your cents each year. I’m sure they are sorry to inconvenience you, Kim. I hope your life is filled with blessings of nice cars and silk linens despite all the sacfrices you give of your tax dollars. May the Lord repay you for your difficult life of working. Maybe He will hear your frustrations and start ignoring the cries of the weak and hungry in Africa and Asia so that YOU will have more opportunities.

p.s. I have also been working at a resettlement agency one year- i’m pretty sure the community of dallas is thankful for us. dallas has boasted of its involvement in refugee resettlement. quite different than some of the eastern states from your article.

Cliffsaid

Katie, if you are teaching ESL classes it is no surprise. Youmeet the standards of many of our teachers- You can’t spell nor do you know anything about history. Einstein was not a refugee, he was an immigrant. Remember, in the late 1800s through the early 1900s the people coming here were all immigrants and not considered refugees. Jesus wasn’t a refugee either. A better point would be that those who landed at Plymouth rock and many who follwoed were refugees. They were persecuted for their religion, not following the Church of England and allowed to leave to come to the new world.

There is absoultely nothing wrong with us opening our arms to refugees. But they should be treated the same as many who came over 100 years ago. The communities supported them, not the taxpayer, because there were no taxes for social programs then. They did just fine. They brought their skills and started businesses or worked for others.

emilysaid

Actually Einstein was a refugee, along with several other folks who fled Germany at the time. (Including Thomas Mann) Many people who fled countries at the time are considered refugee’s not to mention it is semantics really. If you are fleeing your country, you are fleeing your country. The correct term, btw, is emigrant. If you are going to live in a glass house, you should not throw stones. Clearly, insulting a teacher who is trying to teach people who are here the local language makes you feel feel better, but you also are proving your ignorance and should yourself be looking up history again. Just in case you cared about the actual facts.

Stephanisaid

I have to say that this discussion and name calling is juvenile. Yes, Einstein was a emmigrant (just like I am), not a refugee he emmigrated in 1933 (I received my Citizenship in the same room he received his in Newark, NJ. He did not flee his country, as he had officially renouced his German Citizenship in 1896 from Switzerland at age 17.(In Aarau, Switzerland, Einstein studied Maxwell’s electromagnetic theory. At age 17, he graduated, and, with his father’s approval, renounced his citizenship in the German Kingdom of Württemberg to avoid military service, and enrolled in 1896 in the mathematics and physics program at the Polytechnic in Zurich). I married a US Soldier in Germany (we are married 34 years now), whose Grandparents emmigrated from Japan in 1917. By the way, my husband served 24 years in the Army, where we moved (on orders) every three years to a different place. Our son went to three High Schools in 4 years, and managed to get a SAT (old SAT’s) of 1350. So, please excuse my english it is not perfekt! I went throught all the regular emmigration procedures, never received any public assistance, never asked for any, realized I needed to be able to speak, read, and write english in order to live here. Worked for a living while supporting my husband in the military service, and raising our child. I made sure I was proficient in our language (so I could get a job) and the customs of the United States. The following is what I expect of anyone wanting to live in our country. 1. Respect for our customs and way of living. 2. Earn your own living (we do not owe you one). 3. Learn our language (at your own time and dime), you want to live here. 4. PAY YOUR TAXES (as we have to). 5. Be responsible for yourself and your actions. 6. Raise your children on your dime not ours.
These things are not difficult to achive, and only require self motivation and self respect, and respect for you Country and its people.

Dylansaid

Cliff I would advise you to check your history too… one that is more critical and fair.
Current circumstances do not allow people to just “land” and live. In the time of settlement of America there was much more land, and more freedom in settling on that land.
Furthermore, the Elizabeth Poor Laws adapted to the United States did not do a good job at all at providing for immigrants to this country. Most local government did a very poor job at providing for new immigrants, and most had residency requirements to obtain any aid – as dictated by the Elizabeth Poor Laws. Most of the “welfare” back then was restricted to those who already were living there. 100 years ago it was a lot easier to build a house, start a business etc.
I could go further into this history lesson, but I would encourage you to learn how the original immigrants to this country fared and how the laws were constructed.
The world is 100 times more complex today, and this is why federal level intervention is needed. Today isn’t 100 years ago….

whereisyourcompassionsaid

But, Cliff, you also forget that the people coming over 100 years ago had others to rely on. Communities were very tight knit .. communities of italians, irish, swedish, english etc.. that all helped each other out.. whether it was living in apartments together, or helping eachother find work and the best ways to assimilate. (agreed with Dylan).

I also agree with Stephani that a great majority of assimilation lies on the individual. I absolutely agree that people should assimilate, learn the language and pay taxes.. but it is extremely important to provide resources to help the person out. Please remember that your husband and yourself experienced many helpful resources directly fed from TAXES as he and you by association were employed by/cared for by the US government. As the daughter of a US government official, I know exactly what extra (i.e. not available to the normal US citizen or new immigrant/refugee) benefits are provided to US employees and their families AT THE EXPENSE OF THE US TAX PAYER.

whereisyourcompassionsaid

additionally.. agreed while there were communities, there were also social problems that definitely required an overhaul. Those very same communities were rampant with diseases, unfit drinking water, unfit housing, child labor problems, murder abuse and rampant early unwarranted deaths. Do you suggest we return to those times?

ehuntsaid

Wrong..for 175 years US immigration policy was scrupulously “racist”. It was
called the National Origins approach to immigration. Quotas were set up that
allowed immigration from European, White, Christian nations. The result wasthe most successful, self sustaining, conflict free nation in human history.
It was built on the quaint notion that the people of a nation must have
something in common in order to have a coherent identity. It was also
built on equally old fashion knowledge of actual human history, where upon examination it was realized that nations with fundamentally conflicting
religious, and cultural groups experienced nothing but war, hatred, tension,
and political chaos. Examples of this are The Balkans Muslim/Christian, Iraq
Sunni/Shia, Russia Chenchens/Russians, China Uigyar/Han, India Muslims/Hindu
France Muslim/French, Lebanon, Muslim/Christian etc etc.
But that could never happen here..well at least not until recently..the past 20 years or so…just about the time the Far Left was forcing us to Celebrate Diversity.

Dominiquesaid

“This is so sickening to me. As we work ourselves to death we are being turned in to a mulit-ethnic and mulit-cultural cesspool.”

In Response to Kim’s quote above, you are profoundly ignorant. What black hole do you live in, you pathetic creature. In the modern age we live in, there is no country in the world where there is a mono-ethnic and cultural population. Every country has it’s ethnic/cultural immigrant groups living and contributing to the country’s development. Every single person living in the US came from some place else, except for the Native-Americans. Even you, my pathetic ignoramus, your ancestors came from another place (it seems to me you don’t know your own family’s history. If you knew it – unless you’re a Native-American – you would know what part of the world your ancestors originated from). Why don’t you educate yourself before you post such a profoundly ignorant comment like that. The cesspool that you mentioned is in you, not this the melting pot call America.

People like you, with very little intelligence for rational discourse really turn people off from having a decent discussion on important topics such as this one.

acorcoransaid

ehuntsaid

I see, Dominque..we need to get in touch with reality eh? We are really beyond
national identity and we should accept everyone…because all cultures are equal
and America can be all things to all people, right? There are no Times Square Pakistani Bombers..ready to die for Allah?, no Lebanese cab drivers plotting to collapse the Holland Tunnel
and drown thousands? no Guyanese convicted of trying to set fire to JFK airport?
no Black Muslims caught putting bombs in Synaqogues?.no Somali suicide bombers
from Minneapolis?, no Imans screaming Death to America..while living off the American taxpayers. None of this is happening? Or if it is happening..the explosions, the fires, the hijackings, the body parts, the blood the tears..all of
it is relatively unimportant when weighed against the joys of feeling good about
about ourselves and, of course “Celebrating Diversity” Next to THAT..nothing matters. Right Dominique?

Really? Do you live in these “diverse” communites? Or do you live in France where Muslim male rapists go after little girls and boys and get probation because you are scared to death of offending mighty Islam? Which doesn’t even make logical sense since many of the victims there are 2nd and 3rd generation immigrations from nominally islamic nations but they are subjected to de-facto sharia enclaves where the cowardly French police look the other way.

50 euros says that none of the pro-mult cultis on here live willingly in diverese areas and live among people who came from the same country, have the same religion or skin colour.

You sure know how to talk a good game, but are real lousy on the follow-through.

Wake up. I live in Chinatown in New York City where, surprise surprise, 90% of the inhabitants are Chinese. When I lived in Michigan I lived in Oakland County where over a 1/3 of the population is Asian (primarily Indian). And I love immigrants. Almost anywhere in the U.S. the larger the immigrant population, the safer the area. If the French don’t enforce the law that’s their problem. Has nothing to do with the U.S. where immigrant demand that the law be strictly enforced – to protect them from the lawless Americans.